Menyanthes palustris

Description

A creeping temperate plant with fattened roots or rhizomes, belonging to the family Menyanthaceae.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The rootstock can be ground into an unpalatable flour for emergency use. The plant has a characteristic strong and bitter taste, which can be used in schnapps. The British Flora Medica (1845) says about the plant: "The peasants of Westrogothia frequently use the leaves instead of hops for preserving their beer, which is thus rendered of an agreeable flavour as well as defended from acescensy". In China, the plant is known as "sleeping herbs" (睡菜) or "herbs that calm consciousness" (暝菜). Guangdong Xing Yu (1678), a Qing dynasty book by Chiu-Da-Jun, records: "Eat [Menyanthes trifoliata;] makes people sleep well." The Compendium of Materia Medica records: "[Treats] insomnia, restlessness".

Traditional Uses

The root is used as a famine food after cooking and seasoning.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Europe, France,

Other Information

It is a famine food.

References (1)

• Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 55

More from Menyanthaceae

Menyanthes trifoliata

Bogbean, Buckbean, Marsh Trefoil

Nymphoides cristata

White water snowflake, Floating heart, Fairy water-lily

Nymphoides forbesiana

Nymphoides indica

Water snowflake, Floating heart

Nymphoides parvifolia

Bua saai ting, Floating heart

Nymphoides peltata - (Gmelin.)Kuntze.

Water Fringe, Yellow floatingheart